Sandra L. (Cook) Van Cleef

Sandra (Cook) Van Cleef, known as “Mouma” to those closest to her, passed unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, October 28th, 2025. Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday, November 2nd from 3 – 6PM at Doran Funeral Home, 4 East Bayard St., Seneca Falls. Her funeral service will be held on Monday, November 3rd at 4PM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 27 Fall St., Seneca Falls. Donations in her memory may be directed to South Seneca Ambulance.

Sandy was born in Waterloo, NY, the second oldest daughter of George and Dororthy (Albro) Cook. In 1967 she started dating the boy of her dreams, and on November 16th, 1968, at a small private ceremony, she was united in marriage with Louis Van Cleef. The couple have been side by side ever since, with their 57th anniversary just a few weeks away.

Sandy and Louis were a team through and through. With Louis working outside of the home, Sandy made sure things were well taken care of inside the home. Growing up on a small farm, she was no stranger to hard work. She raised her sons, kept a clean and tidy house, kept food in everybody’s belly, and was an exceptional homemaker. She was especially proud of the house she kept and the family she and Louis had made. Once the boys were older and out of the house, Sandy worked for Unity House in Ithaca, retiring after an accomplished career.

In addition to her interests within the home, Sandy also loved to garden, travel, go on family vacations, and for years she and Louis enjoyed camping in their RV. The couple also were snowbirds, travelling to Florida during the colder NY months, and returning north when the weather became a little nicer. Of all the things that Sandy enjoyed the most though, it was doing things with her grandchildren. She made it a point to be there for sports games, school events, and anything where she could show her love and support to those that mattered so much to her. She truly embraced her family with all that she could.

Sandy is survived by her husband, Louis Sr.; son, Chance Van Cleef; “Mouma” to her eleven grandchildren, Chance II, Aden, Camden, Steven, Dominic, Joseph, Jake, CJ, Kiersten, Cami, and AJ; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Patricia Cook, Joanne (Edward) Bingle, Karen (Ken) Wainwright, Gloria Cook, Pamela Manning; daughter-in-law; Kerri-Ann; sisters-in-law, Janet Daldry, Patricia Blevins; Kim Talomie; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family, and her beloved K9 companions, Frankie and Louie. In addition to her parents, Sandy was predeceased by her son, Louis Van Cleef II, who passed in 2014.